12:24 PM,
Jan. 24, 2014

A member of the UWSP Fire Crew uses a drip torch to create a line of fire during a prescribed fire exercise in Florida.

Written by

Chris Jones
| Stevens Point Journal Media

A group of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students spent their winter break setting the world on fire - so to speak - as they honed their skills as front-line professionals who help battle wildfires.

The students of the UWSP Fire Crew spent part of January helping the Florida Department of Natural Resources set and maintain forest fires - fires that deliberately are set and contained to prevent future, uncontrolled fires - gaining experience and knowledge they will use in central Wisconsin.

Fifteen UWSP students made the 22-hour drive to Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in ...